Automated method of generating a decision grid for communicating financial information to clients

Abstract

A decision grid is generated for communicating financial information to clients. The decision grid includes one or more rows and respective columns. A graphical user interface (GUI) display is provided for building and displaying the decision grid. The one or more rows of the decision grid are electronically populated with outcome boxes. Each of the outcome boxes represents and texturally communicates a different outcome scenario. The respective columns of the decision grid are electronically populated with different financial related plans. An icon is electronically entered for at least some of each row/column pair in the decision grid. The icon represents whether the financial related plan represented by the column will work for the outcome scenario represented by the corresponding row. The decision grid and the entered icons provide a visual matrix of financial information for clients.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated method of generating a decision grid for communicating financial information to clients, the decision grid including one or more rows and respective columns, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a graphical user interface (GUI) display for building and displaying the decision grid;   (b) electronically populating the one or more rows of the decision grid with outcome boxes, each of the outcome boxes representing and texturally communicating a different outcome scenario;   (c) electronically populating the respective columns of the decision grid with different financial related plans; and   (d) electronically entering an icon for at least some of each row/column pair in the decision grid, the icon representing whether the financial related plan represented by the column will work for the outcome scenario represented by the corresponding row,   wherein the decision grid and the entered icons provide a visual matrix of financial information for clients.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 (e) entering into an initial GUI display at least one or more names of clients associated with the financial information, wherein at least some of the outcome boxes specify a client name that was entered into the initial GUI display as being associated with the outcome scenario of the outcome box. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 (e) entering into an initial GUI display a plurality of different financial related plans, wherein the respective columns of the decision grid are populated with the entered financial related plans. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the icon entered in step (d) is selected from a plurality of icons including icons which represent that the financial related plan (i) will work, or (ii) will not work, or (iii) is uncertain to work for the outcome scenario represented by the row. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the outcome boxes address outcome scenarios associated with two related individuals. 
     
     
         6 . An automated method of generating a decision grid for communicating financial information to clients, the decision grid including one or more rows and respective columns, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a graphical user interface (GUI) display for building and displaying the decision grid;   (b) electronically populating the one or more rows of the decision grid with outcome boxes, each of the outcome boxes representing and texturally communicating a different outcome scenario;   (c) electronically populating the respective columns of the decision grid with different insurance policies; and   (d) electronically entering an icon for at least some of each row/column pair in the decision grid, the icon representing whether the insurance policy represented by the column will work for the outcome scenario represented by the row,   wherein the decision grid and the entered icons provide a visual matrix of financial information for clients.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 (e) entering into an initial GUI display a plurality of different insurance policies, wherein the respective columns of the decision grid are populated with the entered insurance policies. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the icon is selected from a plurality of icons including icons which represent that the insurance policy (i) will work, or (ii) will not work, or (iii) is uncertain to work for the outcome scenario represented by the row. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the outcome boxes address outcome scenarios associated with two related individuals. 
     
     
         10 . An automated method of generating a decision grid for communicating financial information to clients, the decision grid including one or more rows and respective columns, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a graphical user interface (GUI) display for building and displaying the decision grid;   (b) electronically populating the one or more rows of the decision grid with outcome boxes, each of the outcome boxes representing and texturally communicating a different outcome scenario;   (c) electronically populating the respective columns of the decision grid with an expected return indication; and   (d) electronically entering into each row/column pair an expected return so that the expected return for the outcome scenario represented by the row can be visualized,   wherein the decision grid and the entered expected returns provide a visual matrix of financial information for clients.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein step (d) further comprises electronically entering into each row/column pair a future return and a probability of achieving the future return, wherein the expected return for each row/column pair is automatically calculated based on the electronically entered future return and probability. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the future return, probability and expected return are represented by qualitative values. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the future return and probability are electronically entered via a selection from a dropdown menu displayed on the GUI display. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the future return, probability and expected return are represented by quantitative values. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 (e) entering into an initial GUI display a style for the decision grid, wherein the expected return, probability and future return that are entered in step (d) appear in the entered style. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 (e) entering into an initial GUI display at least one or more names of clients associated with the financial information, wherein at least some of the outcome boxes specify a client name that was entered into the initial GUI display as being associated with the outcome scenario of the outcome box. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the outcome boxes address outcome scenarios associated with two related individuals.